Wonderful Distractions....

Monica is a genius. Yup, I said it out loud. GO over and look at what she has spun, knit, dyed... this girl is hidden talent. And she's selling her handspun (yup, got first dibs).

When she posted the photos of Sand River, I thought "my SIL would love that scarf". And I had 3 skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted in Wisteria (Grumperina, you are not the only woman smitten with this colorway! I have socks made in this color and LOVE them....). So, I offered to test-knit the pattern. Very few problems (once again, genius!) and I would recommend it to the following people:

1. people who haven't done lace
2. people who haven't worked from a chart
3. anyone who has 2 skeins of yarn in a great colorway and is looking to make a fun, gorgeous and FAST scarf (or shawl)

So, that's pretty much ALL of you. Monica's going to put it up for sale in the near future (a few weeks, Monica?)--- go BUY IT. I usually don't "push" products, but I know Monica, it's her first pattern published and it's great. I am 60% done with the scarf and I am working a little slower b/c I am trying to help with looking for errors, etc. I think I have done 3 hours TOTAL on this scarf and I am on repeat 12. :) 12 of 20!

How abouts some photos?
Close up of the "river rapids"....













The needle used for reference: 13 inch size US7.

ahh..the camera is back!

So, the camera is back in action (with good ole' alkaline batteries... i think my rechargeables have completely S**t the bed, so to speak... ).

Here's mom's sweater in progress, another 1/2 inch (one full repeat of 4 rows) and I will be adding steek stitches to the sides and then the "top" pattern. I am hoping to blow through the top pattern tomorrow night while PC watches pre-season football.

Not bad, huh? The side "seam" where each new round starts is a little wondy, but I think a good blocking will work that out. If not, I think it's only noticeable to me. I had it with me at SnB last night and I think it looked okay.

My Secret Pal struck again! Yesterday, I got home a little early (is eveyone on vacation? NO traffic!) and saw a note in the mailbox: you have a package. So, I call the PO and ask "is it there"? Not yet. Hmm... call back at 5:30 and they say we'll call you if it comes in. PO closes at 6, they called at 5:50. I made it to Newtonville PO with 1 minute to spare!

So, what'd I get?
1. coupons (this is very cool b/c my SP knows I am FRUGAL woman... )
2. yarn: it smells like lavender! (my favorite!) and it already has a destiny... it's going to be a scarf for me... like a drop stitch scarf. ;)

3. a book: Knitting on the Edge... I have been wanting one of her books forever... this is so great! I see two edgings I have been wanting to try and I love the photos... so pretty.

4. a pencil case (see next photo) for my dpns... what a great idea!
5. this one blew me away...a quilting tote. Yup, she sent me a quilting tote. with a pressing pad that can double as a blocking board. I won't lie, I almost cried. My SP has been the sweetest person ever... I have been so lucky in the last two swaps to have great SPs...

Thank you SP! You always seem to make each package "just right" each time. I want to thank you for going through all the trouble of getting to know me, and my cat. :)

But, I don't know who she is! SP... will you ever tell me who you are? SP is coming to an end.... and I completely clueless as to who you are! (I haven't been trying tooo hard to figure it out... I think that spoils it).

:)Mini

Autumn? August?

Which is it? Autumn or August?
Boston, MA weather will be in the high 60s to low 70s today... Fahrenheit. Needless to say, I was muy chilly this a.m. when we woke up. Speaking of that, did anyone else feel like their body was screaming "stay in bed" today? No? Just me? Ok.

So, the saga continues. I am still working on green Norweig-y thing (I am in the "one white fleck every third row, every third stitch" phase... it's slow, it's boring)... hopefully some useful hours at SnB tonight will fix that and I'll be in the "oh, I added steek stitches and look! there's a snowflake" portion of the sweater (which will make me happy b/c then it's just two magic looped sleeves and fini!).

PC's sis's scarf g-r-o-w-s. I made it using a very stretchy stitch (and dude... this yarn from Hello Yarn --- which I called hello kitty yarn unavoidably each and every time--- has some serious memory and bounce!)... and it'll stretch in ALL directions. Cool, no?
*added: check out Adrian's dye kits at Hello Yarn.. ohh, I want one of these!

I found my way to Wild String (going out of business) via Monica and tripped into a sale. So, I got me a copy of Scarf Style (been dying for this one!) and some America's Alpacas Landscape-- it's an autumn-y colorway. I also got some 16 inch circs b/c well, I want to make hats and these make making hats easy. :)

Meeting a friend for dinner last night, I found myself near Porter Square with 1/2 hour to spare. So, what's a girl to do? head over to Mind's Eye and score some hand-dyed sock yarn (superwash/tencel mix)... photos once I have the camera operational.

The job thing-y? Still "in progress"... they called to say they want me for the job, but this place does all salary negotiation via HR. So, HR needs to call me and let me know what the salary is (they gave a range over the phone last night adn it's uber-low... which, even for my dream job, I need to pay my bills). So, I will let you know when I know. :)

Have a great day!
OH! I just checked my email and Monica sent the test pattern! I will be casting on for this on Saturday- Saturday is going to be my "knit and quilt day" while PC putters around with his music stuff (I am assuming).

:)Mini

Famous people in Boston?

Boston's own Subway Knitter is FAMOUS.

Everyone go over and read the V. Interesting column in the Post about knitting and commuting. :) I think everyone who knits KNOWS that we are born multitaskers, but now we have the press agreeing.

So, I may become a member of the subway knitting force in Boston. (Will Colleen make me headless someday? Perhaps) How?

I interviewed for a job... back in the city. I left a job in the city awhile back (~18 months ago) to come here... A lot has changed in 18 months. Management has changed. Personnel has changed. Focus and energy has changed. And it's turned into an "old boys club" around here. I am sad to say that I am realizing a few things about people I used to have high regard for... that they don't deserve it.

Now, I interviewed for the job,but it doesn't mean I have it. It would be a step in the right direction (I want to be a Lab Instructor/Adjunct Professor) of my ultimate career goals. It would utilize some of my other talents. But, it's not set in stone, so you'll know more when I know more. :)

Knitting: the green Norweigan sweater is progressing... in fits and spurts. I have a secret project to work on this weekend. I am also using PC Sis's present as a "travelling" companion, a few rows here and there. :)
Monica over at Two Left Needles (pop over, say hi!) has knit a GORGEOUS scarf called "Sand River" that is a) perfect for my SIL who loved a similar pattern I did on a sock and b) perfect for the LL Wisteria that I bought for her for a present. :) So, I am *patiently* waiting for a pattern from Monica (I can test knit it! yaya!)
*patience: not a skill I posess at all times*

Warning_ Photo Heavy Post!!

So, this is what it's like to try to make money off something you used to do for fun?

I still need feedback about pricing: overall cost for production: ~$6-8 dollars each. Time to make each bag: 30 minutes. Any ideas?




all of them...so far (add 8 tonight!)











Close up of my favorite (so far)




















PC's favorite (he likes red)



















Pumpkin's favorite (she was pawing at it)




















Inside:



So, want to see what our girl has been up to? (gratuitous cat photos ahead!)


and this is what happens when I said "look cute for the camera!" I think we found her calling...


And here is the crocheted hat I made in 1 1/2 nights (started at 9pm on Sunday, worked for an hour or so, worked last night for 1.5 hours....) I would share the project but i got it from a friend at the Knitting Guild. I think she's teaching it as a class, so I will ask permission for the pattern details!

Yarn: 2 skeins Noro Kureyon (I had 2 skeins) of Color #134
Needles: Size K hook (aluminum)--- I would use a smaller hook or denser yarn
Time: 3 hours? if you crochet fast.
Overall: LOVE It! going to make a few more as gifts!




Top of the hat looks cool, no? I don't think it needs a blocking, but it might look better... I am imagining the next one as a 3 strand of mohair, wool and silk... you need about 200 yds of each. :)

Imagine the possibilities!

And then there was none...

None meaning energy, or lack thereof. I can't believe it's been a week since my last post! Since then I have:
1. done the scariest thing professionally that I thought possible
2. attended an industry conference (see #1, it's all related)
3. took a leap into the world of entrepeneurship (more tomorrow)
4. finally got my bum in gear and am doing Weight Watchers the "real way" (no more half-assing around here... oh, the google hits from that one)

Mom's sweater grows.. I am in the "boring part"--- the middle of the trunk.

I started a crocheted (gasp!) hat last night--- will post the finished photo tomorrow.

Sewing 15+ small purses for sale (oh my!) at a flea market/craft thing this weekend (putting them on a table with a friend who sells jewelry)

Working on knitting PC's sister's scarf for Christmas.

Opinion:
how much would you pay for a small (about 6 inches wide, 7 inches tall, 3 inches deep), hand made (lined too!) purse with two cotton handles?

$15?
$20?
$25?

Be honest people! I will post some photos tomorrow, and then you can re-vote if you like.

:) Mini

Something Happened When I Moved in with PC...

I think I finally got my priorities straight. Does this make sense? My house is mess, but I have read several books. We eat healthier and I prefer to cook than go out for dinner. I worry about whether or not I have enough apples for PC's lunches than if I washed the windows. I had this feeling this weekend that I sorta finally feel like "me". Strange, no?

An example: I am notoriously early (20 minutes before the party starts-- in my car in front of your house? yeah, that's me. With the gift you told me not to bring.) and Saturday I was just all kinds of late. I left the house late. I picked up PC's mom late. I got to my friend S's house late. We got to the fair late. We left late. We ate late. And you know what? I didn't care.

No photos of the fair b/c well, I checked the camera before i left and the batteries were dead. I looked for the other batteries (how I got late to start with), but no luck. They are charging now.

I did knit some more... more photos this week.

Also, thanks for the white wine suggestions--- I am thinking of using a big crazy straw in the bottle to eliminate shaky hands while cutting steeks. :)

Oh, and PC and I celebrate our 4th anniversary (dating) this month and I got an early present... a gorgeous silver and opal ring (oh!! ) and an ornament for our tree this year ( our first tree!).

Christmas Knitting/Crafting List:
1. Norweigan ski sweater- mom
2. Cabled sweater- Dad
3. Golf club covers- both brothers
4. quilt--- friend returning overseas
5. scarf/glove set--- sister in law
6. PC's parents... hmm... tough one! will have to think about this some more!

:) Mini

See what a little Stitchin' and Bitchin' can do?

So, after missing 2 weeks, I was off to SnB last night. A very productive night it was! I got a lot farther than I expected! The bottom motif is now DONE! Now, I am in the middle section of all green with a white stitch every 3 stitches, every 4th row. :) Easy enough for car knitting... not boring enough to lose my interest. Any bets on when this will be done? (Hint: what you see is 4.5 inches) There is a yarn-y prize for the following correct bets:

Contest 1:
when will I finish this sweater?

Contest 2:
how many glasses of wine will I need to do the steeking?

I'm gonna be blogless this weekend but Monday, I 'll have photos from the NH Craftsman's Fair.... oh, the craftiness!

:) Mini

Mini Needs Your HELP

So, last night, PC and I went to the movies... to see Lady in the Water. M.Knight Shyamalan is a director that I usually like (minus the Village... God, that was awful) and I did enjoy this movie. I think PC put it best last night when he said "I liked it, but I dont' know if I would recommend it."

Huh.

That kinda says it all. There was a family in front of us with 2 pre-teen girls and at the end of the movie, one was laughing (we thought crying, then we figured it out). She thought the movie was absurd. Huh. It took me until I was in the shower this morning to figure it out: she didn't see the "fantasy" in the movie. So, I am asking all you out there: do you think there is a generation fast approaching adulthood that has lost the ability to IMAGINE? I think of my 16 year old cousin, who has her books on tape (doesn't need to imagine the teachers at Hogwarts voices), cable in the classroom ( don't imagine the French Revolution... we'll show it to you)... and I wonder... will we have a generation where CREATIVITY will be without IMAGINATION?

Moving on to my creativity (and, yes... I have a wild imagination... I enjoy reading books instead of audiobooks b/c I can "see" and "hear" the story myself, although I do see the draw to knit and "read" at the same time)...

I am 1/2 way through Pattern 1. I am really happy with my plan to reverse the coloring and make the Green the primary color and the white the accent color. I really like the colorwork.









Now, with Pattern 1, you start at different places for different sizes. The "middle" size (this is so not a REAL medium) for a women (dame) is 264 stitches all the way around. That's 132 for the front, 132 for the back. The pattern starts at an odd point... and the pattern asks you to "work Pattern 1, starting at appropriate arrow and work for FRONT. Stop, go back to appropriate arrow and work again for the BACK. stop at 2nd st marker." Huh. Well, you end up with this weird portion at the join:
Join for Front/Back










Join for start (back to front)










The overall pattern for Pattern 1:











I did the "smart thing" and charted it out in Excel and I think I see what I get... a little "mountain" at the joins. Does this make sense to anyone out there? Should Norweigan sweater patterns be continuous all the way AROUND the sweater? Or just for the FRONT and BACK? Help. I need help. I don't want to rip (this shows 2 hours of my life), but this is for my mom. :)










Pumpkin says "please help my mommy. She was playing with string and locked herself in the COLD room and wouldn't play with me... she was mumbling about a chart..."